Next Big Thing: Bollywood's new 'mom', Rasika Joshi

THE MOTHER OF ALL: Rasika is shattering stereotypes and attacking roles without any vanity or inhibitions.

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Mumbai: It's a character Nirupa Roy is always remembered for. Reema Lagoo, Farida Jalal, Smita Jaykar and Kirron Kher followed in her footsteps, but it's Rasika Joshi who's given a whole new spin to the role of the mother.

Shouting, screaming and bickering, she was the lone spark in Gayab, and she dazzled even in Johnny Gaddar. In an industry where comedy is mostly male-dominated, she raises a good laugh in every film that she's in. Because she's an actor who doesn't care about the length of the role, and is more concerned about the quality of the part, we think Rasika Joshi is the Next Big Thing.

Mumbai: Her’s is a familiar name in Marathi film and theatre, but outside of that circuit, the name doesn't quite ring a bell. Take one look at her, however, and you remember her instantly.

After 10 years in theatre, it took just one phone call from Ramgopal Varma's office that paved her entry into Hindi films. And to think Rasika Joshi, almost missed that opportunity.

“I was doing rehearsals of a Marathi film when I got a call from Ramuji's office asking me to come meet them. At first I thought it was a prank and therefore didn’t go for the first two times. They called me again for the third time,” recalls Rasika.

Still suspecting that a prank was being played on her, Rasika went for an audition nevertheless, and came back selected for a small role in Varma's production Ek Hasina Thi.

It wasn't what you'd call an easy role - a spiteful jail inmate with lesbian undertones - but Rasika left a deep impression with a truly haunting performance. Unlike most theatre actors who come with a superiority complex, Rasika has no qualms in admitting that acting for the camera wasn't all smooth sailing for her.

“I think medium is totally different. It took me some time to understand the mechanisms,” says Rasika.

Impressed with her work in Ek Hasina Thi, Ramgopal Varma repeated her in several films including Gayab, Vaastushastra, Darna Zaroori Hai and most recently in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag in which she played the ‘mausi’ equivalent of the original Sholay.

She's also now a regular in Priyadarshan's films, appearing in Malamaal Weekly, Dhol and Bhool Bhulaiyya. Such is Varma's unflinching faith in her that he calls her even when he has only a single scene for her - like in Sarkar and Darling.

“Actually role is a role is a role. The length should not matter,” says Rasika.

From acting, she moved behind the camera to write the story, screenplay and dialogues for the recent Marathi film Yanda Kartavya Aahe. And if you're wondering why she's looking so different off camera, it's because she's just shed 14 kilos for her husband and writer-directoir Girish Joshi's new Hindi play Final Draft. Her husband, she says, is her toughest critic.

“He watches every film, and is a true critic. He says it on my face if the good or bad,” says Rasika.

Last seen as the bickering mum in Johnny Gaddar, Rasika Joshi has evidently come a long way. Next up, a role in E Niwas' comedy De Taali, but her priority is the play. After all, she's returning to the stage after five long years.

Shattering stereotypes and attacking roles without any vanity or inhibitions, Rasika Joshi has emerged a self-made woman in an industry full of yes-sir types. She's one talent we're keeping our eyes glued on.